PLAY-OFF hero Rob Edwards will continue as Town's club captain next season.

PLAY-OFF hero Rob Edwards will continue as Town's club captain next season.

Manager Peter Jackson today confirmed the 34-year-old as squad leader just weeks after he helped the club to promotion and earned a new 12-month McAlpine contract.

Popular Nigerian international Efe Sodje is again team captain and will lead Town out each matchday for Coca-Cola League I combat.

Both men sat alongside manager Peter Jackson at yesterday's official club photocall.

"There is no better person than Rob Edwards to be club captain of Huddersfield Town," said Jackson.

"When I told him after the Cardiff final that I would be offering him a new deal, Robbie was absolutely thrilled to bits and no-one needs to be told how much he cares about the club and the supporters.

"It was etched all over his face when he scored the semi-final clincher against Lincoln - one of my best moments in football - and he's a tremendous guy to have around the club.

"He trains superbly, coming back from the closed-season looking fit and strong, he's a great example to our younger players and in addition to organising all the players' off-field commitments this coming season, he will be determined to push every inch of the way for a place in the starting line-up."

Edwards returned to Town last season from Chesterfield and eventually lost his left-back slot through injury to Anthony Lloyd.

After netting the goal which took Town to the Millennium Stadium, he was a substitute for the final, replacing Lloyd and then scoring the vital first penalty in the shoot-out against Mansfield.

Edwards said: "I enjoyed doing the job last season and I'm honoured to be asked to be club captain again.

"The squad spirit is still excellent, the new lads have slotted in really well and we just want to carry on the good work from last season. There is no-one to fear in this division, we are capable of beating anyone and we can't wait to get cracking.

"The one thing we do want to do is improve our away form from the start of the season.

"Our poor away run up to Christmas last year cost us automatic promotion, so we want to start a lot more solidly away from home and keep the McAlpine as a fortress."

Sodje, too, will be delighted to continue with the armband to match his trademark bandana.

"Efe has taken to the responsibility of team captain really well and I believe his performances have improved while he's been leading out the team," said Jackson.

"I think he has done really well for us, when he signed for us from Crewe he was convinced we would win promotion and now he wants to help us move on and achieve even more.

"The fans love him as well, and I know he and the rest of the lads will get a great reception when they run out at Stockport on August 7."

Sodje, whose brother Akpo is currently on trial at the McAlpine, commented: "It gives me a real buzz to lead out the team and to wear the armband at a club with the history and tradition of this one is something special.

"I was really proud to have been captain when we won promotion, because even though I wasn't able to collect the trophy because of injury it's something nice to be able to put on your CV and store away in your career record.

"The most pleasing thing about being asked to be captain again - which is a big thing in itself - is that Rob Edwards is continuing as club captain. Everyone looks up to Rob."